Recall is bad way to fix the state

CHASING DOWN THE MUSE

Vision precedes success. As we see what may be, what we can achieve,

the horizons are expanded and possibilities become realities.

-- ANONYMOUS

OK. I don’t get it. Gov. Gray Davis was re-elected just eight

months ago. It was not a resounding victory. He only garnered 47% of

the vote. But now we Californians -- fickle as ever and prompted by

the assist of $7 million from Republican Darrell Issa -- want to

recall Davis?

Politics isn’t my thing. I steer pretty clear of the fray. I don’t

like the whole idea so often found in the political arena that there

is only one right answer. I don’t like the posturing, the lying, the

need to always be “politically correct.” Nevertheless, I am compelled

-- perhaps chased by the Muse herself this time -- to comment on this

latest waste.

Wouldn’t it make more sense, if Congressman Issa is truly

concerned for the budget of our fair state, if he out and out donated

his $7 mil to pay down the debt the state has accrued? Wouldn’t it

serve the state best to have the Republicans in office back and / or

assist Davis in his efforts to raise money to get out of this mess?

Instead of taxation without representation, we seem to have

representation without taxation. Neither works very well.

What if ... (and my muse takes me on a wild chase here) ... What

if we stop spending time, money and energy on a costly recall and

substitute election? What if, instead, we put that same time, money

and energy into supporting our elected officials and the efforts to

get the state out of difficulty? What if we accept what IS and work

from there instead of second-guessing ourselves?

Retribution -- getting Gray Davis because “he got us into this

mess” -- is a negative energy position. Whether, in fact, Davis is

responsible is beside the point in a way. Working together to get out

of the mess is the creative way. Perhaps that is why my Muse has led

me down this path. Sales tax increase, the return to a higher car

tax, a one-time tax -- whatever it takes -- let’s get together and do

it. Instead of making this about personalities and attaching blame,

why not work to make the state of California what it is -- a great

place to live?

I don’t want to pay higher taxes. I don’t want to go without

because of any of the possible increased taxes. On the other hand, if

these are what are needed in order to have the things that we want

for ourselves and our children -- good, safe roads, superior schools,

safe streets and homes -- then let’s just do it. The old adage “you

don’t get something for nothing” is true. Stop the costly recall

effort and let’s all get down to working on the issues that bedevil

us.

I’ve heard no compelling arguments that pull me over to the side

of “recall Davis.” I don’t think Davis is a strong governor or ever

was. I don’t think he has done a good job of guiding the state. I did

not and would not vote for him. Still, I will not sign the recall

effort petition.

As I write this column, I find myself wondering what the Muse’s

purpose has been in bringing me down this unusual path. Perhaps it is

a simple answer -- that the solutions to the state’s problems are

creative ones rather than destructive. Perhaps it is the vision of

possibilities of all working together, instead of in divisive

partisan efforts based on fears and power struggles. In the end, it

all comes down to this for me: I’ve heard many of the arguments for

Davis’ removal. Many, perhaps even most, of them are valid. I still

firmly hold the recall effort to be the less effective path. I still

optimistically hold the hope that all of us with our diverse

backgrounds and belief systems and political views could come

together to work on a single purpose that is of benefit to all. That

purpose is to see this state be a wonderful place to live and work

and play. Could my Muse be so wrong to have led me this way?

* CHERRIL DOTY is a creative living coach, writer, artist, and

walker who lives and works in Laguna Beach. Contact her by e-mail at

[email protected] or by phone at 251-3993. Your comments are

appreciated.